2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter RabH
- Start date
Brrrr! Looks freezin'!
RabH
Well-Known Member
Our weather has been abysmal once again but I spotted an opportunity to get out today, it was very windy but at least it was dry when I set off just before midday! It was showing a 70% chance of rain around midday and not long after I left I could feel rain in the air, luckily the 35mph wind blew it through quickly! The wind was from the WNW so I headed SE to Yieldshields where I spotted a couple of baby goats so I just had to stop!
My bike wanted in on the action also!
The weather was closing in a bit as I set off again, I had a 35mph tailwind pushing me on down some very nice descents!
I then came across some lambs!
Then things took a turn...it was tipping it down but at least I still had a tailwind!
10 minutes later...
The rain clouds were still hanging around though!
Thankfully the wind pushed the clouds away and I had a blast flying down this descent on the road to Auchengray!
Then it was the climb over the railway crossing into Auchengray with the sun beating down and warming things up nicely!
The road I just descended from the top of the climb at Auchengray!
The dark clouds were still hanging around to the north and I would be heading that way soon!
The road from Auchengray to Wilsontown, this wouldn't have been fun today with a 35-40mph crosswind!
I was approaching Woolfords and spotted more lambs enjoying a sleep, they didn't even flinch when I stopped!
Then the train appeared!
The daffodils are in full bloom but it doesn't feel like Spring yet...
After passing through Woolfords I was heading north towards Addiewell and battling a strong crosswind, soon I would have a big descent where I normally hit over 40mph but not today with that crosswind!
It will be better when the trees grow!
From the bottom looking back up!
The descents continued and thankfully I had good tree cover protecting me and it was still dry!
At the end of the road I decided to head east for West Calder and enjoy the tailwind again, this road is just amazing!
I arrived in West Calder with 34 miles covered and it was time to turn directly into the wind, time for level 2 assist! It was really blowing now as I passed through Addiewell and Stoneyburn and then Fauldhouse! The road from Fauldhouse to Shotts is very exposed and I had to use level 3 assist at times to fight the headwind! I was glad to arrive in Shotts where I had a long descent down into Hartwood, then it was time for the climb up to Hareshaw where the 50 miles came up! Just 5 miles to go but surprise surprise, the rain decided I should get a drenching for the last 5 miles! I even had some hail and boy that hurt, it rained all the way home and 5 minutes later the sun came out!
At least I got it dry to wash my very filthy bike... That brings March to a close, it was a very productive month with 3 x 100 milers and a total of 9 rides, with a ride average of just over 76 miles!
JGcycle
Two-Wheeled Shaker
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Saint John
It was 4c, with a stiff breeze, but I was dressed for it, so it wasn't too bad.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
The ride started with having to unclip the electric fence, it was so tight it took my full strength
It wasnt exactly an excting ride, but theres interest to be found in everything
I spent ages untying a loop of string while carefully watching the cows, then retied it..then realised I had gone the wrong way and had to repeat, luckily they were bored milking cows
Leftover gatehouses from long lost mansions everywhere
This is one of the gateshouses for Eton hall, an incredible stately home owned by the Duke of Westminster whos fortune is backing the rebuild of Liverpools waterfront.
This is it now...
Here it is before the demolition on the 60s, yes they knocked it down.
Queen Victoria visited in 1832 at the age of 13, she wrote in her journal: "The house is magnificent". Others described it as being "as extravagant and opulent as the very latest upholsterer-decorators could make it". A critic found it "the most gaudy concern I ever saw" and "a vast pile of mongrel gothic which ... is a monument of wealth, ignorance and bad taste
I had to push the bike half a mile on a footpath to get to the iron bridge entrance to the estate
Only posh areas get such polite and descriptive notices
The little village attached is frightfully quaint
The smells coming out of the local pub kitchen nearly ended the ride there, but I soldiered on.
Another bridleway right through the farm.
Out the otherside and thats how you maintain a right of way through your fields.
It turned into jacket ripping brambles, but I survived
A water pollution testing aparatus
Another right of way up someones driveway, maybe Putins.
Stopped off at a delightful farmshop cafe, full of trendys GenZ and muddy old farmers
Nearly back at the van, this private college for all ages caught my eye.
It wasnt exactly an excting ride, but theres interest to be found in everything
I spent ages untying a loop of string while carefully watching the cows, then retied it..then realised I had gone the wrong way and had to repeat, luckily they were bored milking cows
Leftover gatehouses from long lost mansions everywhere
This is one of the gateshouses for Eton hall, an incredible stately home owned by the Duke of Westminster whos fortune is backing the rebuild of Liverpools waterfront.
This is it now...
Here it is before the demolition on the 60s, yes they knocked it down.
Queen Victoria visited in 1832 at the age of 13, she wrote in her journal: "The house is magnificent". Others described it as being "as extravagant and opulent as the very latest upholsterer-decorators could make it". A critic found it "the most gaudy concern I ever saw" and "a vast pile of mongrel gothic which ... is a monument of wealth, ignorance and bad taste
I had to push the bike half a mile on a footpath to get to the iron bridge entrance to the estate
Only posh areas get such polite and descriptive notices
The little village attached is frightfully quaint
The smells coming out of the local pub kitchen nearly ended the ride there, but I soldiered on.
Another bridleway right through the farm.
Out the otherside and thats how you maintain a right of way through your fields.
It turned into jacket ripping brambles, but I survived
A water pollution testing aparatus
Another right of way up someones driveway, maybe Putins.
Stopped off at a delightful farmshop cafe, full of trendys GenZ and muddy old farmers
Nearly back at the van, this private college for all ages caught my eye.
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